Johnson's Daytona Diary: Thursday

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Speedweeks, Day 8 was jam-packed for Jimmie Johnson. From the Gatorade 125s to his first experience in an International Race of Champions machine, he had a full, prosperous outing.

Thursday, February 13

8 a.m. -- Got up

8:15 a.m. -- Worked out

9 a.m. -- Got ready for the track

10 a.m. -- Left for the track

10:30 a.m. -- Arrived at the track

10:45 a.m. -- Talked to my mom and little brother Jessie.

"My mom and little brother Jessie arrived this morning for the Gatorade 125 and will stay to see the 500 on Sunday. My other brother Jarit and his girlfriend got into town last night and will be in Daytona through Sunday to see the race, too."

11 a.m. -- Drivers meeting

11:15 a.m. - 12 noon -- Relaxed at the motor coach

12:20 p.m. -- Driver introductions for the Gatorade 125s

12:40 - 2 p.m. -- Changed into Lowe's fire suit and watched the first 125

"It sometimes helps to watch others race on the track to see if you can pick up something that might help you."

2:05 p.m. -- Walked out onto pit road

2:15 p.m. -- Command to start your engines

2:25 p.m. -- Start of the race

3:20 p.m. -- Conclusion of the Gatorade 125

"We had a solid run. I was hoping that Rusty (Wallace) and Tony (Stewart) would come with me and try to make a run at Junior and the leaders, but they elected to stay and I lost a little track position. I finished sixth and that will put us in decent position for Sunday's race."

3:30 - 3:45 p.m. -- Chatted with Chad and the guys about the race

3:45 p.m. -- Changed into my IROC fire suit

3:50 - 4:30 p.m. -- Practiced for the first time in the IROC cars

"I had to turn a minimum of five laps in the race car before the race tomorrow. It was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's race. Hopefully I can get the pink race car into victory lane and make the other guys jealous they didn't get it."

4:45 p.m. -- Changed into street clothes

5 p.m. -- Headed back to the condo

5:45 p.m. -- Showered and got ready to go to dinner

6 - 8 p.m. -- Dinner with family and friends

8-10 p.m. -- Hung out with family and friends after dinner

10 p.m. - 11 p.m. -- Relaxed at condo

11 p.m. -- Bedtime

"I have to get my beauty sleep so I can be rested for the IROC race tomorrow and be rested for the 500 on Sunday."